Currency

Unless you want to be screwed in the exchange rate, you have to use the local currency for each country. Sometimes Euro are accepted but the exchange rate is poor.

I travel through the Czech Republic quite frequently and other than maybe at a Starbucks or a McDonald's I wouldn't know of any place that accepts cash other than their own currency. Why should they? How many places in SFO can you pay with foreign cash? In many places, however, you can pay by credit card. Also you might just want to withdraw your total required cash amount from an ATM...

Hi, Lynda. We are also going to Germany, Budapest and Prague. Are you taking an ATM or Debit card with you that will work in Europe? The exchange rate and fees for getting local currency in the US are terrible! I just did this because I am sending my daughter a week early and wanted her to have local currency when she arrives in Budapest (we have not yet used her Debit Card in Europe although it should work). I would not use Euros in Budapest or Prague as you will have the same awful exchange situation and if you pay with Euro you will get the local currency in change anyway. Best to use local currency whenever possible. Some hotels (and many apartment owners) will offer to bill you in Euro or even USD. I ask them to bill my credit card in local currency if possible since that will give me the best rate.

Truely appreciate all the words of wisdom. Just as I had thought and just wanted to bounce things with experience travelers. I will be using an ATM\debit card and charging the larger expenses, ie hotel, unless the hotels will allow a discount for cash.
Thank you very much. Lynda

Very good. Upon your arrival, go to an ATM and get say $50 of local currency for "walking around money". If you have some left at the end of your stay, apply it to the hotel bill and pay the rest on credit card.